Tuesday, 10 November 2015

Rolling Fork to Tallahatchie

In
the 20s and 30s, American black jazz singers, Josephine Baker and
Alberta Hunter, found their stardom, not in New York or Chicago, but
in Paris and London. ‘The Negro artists,’ said Hunter, ‘went to
Europe because we were recognised and given a chance. In Europe they
had your name up in lights. People in the United States wouldn’t
give us that opportunity.’ In
the 50s and 60s this happened again with the great blues singers who
played to packed houses at London’s 100 Club and the Marquee. It
was Europe and the UK, in particular, that gave them the recognition
they deserved. When
these musicians arrived in London, their first booking was often at
the Bromley Court Hotel, Catford, a short bus ride from my home in
south London. Blues greats, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Howlin’
Wolf and Bo Diddley appeared there with British stars such as John
Mayall, Alexis Corner and Spencer Davis. With
his pencil moustache, red telecaster, sharp suits and from Rolling
Fork, Mississippi - Muddy Waters “Got my Mojo Working”. The
Bromley branch of CND used to hold meetings at the Swan and Mitre in
the High Street, and I was delighted that being part of Ban the Bomb
in South London meant I was among other blues’ fans. I remember one
evening we cut the meeting short and decamped to the Court to hear
Sonny Boy Williamson, another Delta blues man from Tallahatchie. Here
they all are in a collation titled: 'American Folk Blues Festivals,1963 – 1966. The British Tours'. Be sure to check out Mamma Reed and
“Baby What you Want Me to Do?” at 33:50 Much more on this in 'Left Field'

NOTE: I am going to see DUBIOZA KOLEKTIV at 100 Club in London on 20 November. I saw this gig in Belgrade in 2014 - my good friend, Oha Maslo is guest singer towards the end. They played Glastonbury this year and this is their 2nd appearance in the UK. Many more to follow I hope.